Low-income workers across Uttar Pradesh targeted in massive identity theft scam
In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples across Uttar Pradesh, a farmer from Mathura has been served an Income Tax notice amounting to Rs 30 crore. The case is not an isolated incident, as several similar notices have been issued to other low-income workers across the state, raising serious concerns over identity theft, misuse of PAN and Aadhaar cards, and growing cyber fraud.
Farmer From Mathura Receives Rs 30 Crore Notice
Saurabh Kumar, a farmer from Damodpura village in Aurangabad area of Mathura, was left stunned when he received an Income Tax Department notice of Rs 30 crore on March 26, 2025. This isn't the first time Saurabh has been caught in such bureaucratic confusion. In 2022, he had earlier received a notice of Rs 14 crore, which he assumed to be a clerical error and ignored.
Upon further investigation with the help of a friend, Saurabh discovered that his PAN card had been misused to register two fake GST numbers. Fraudulent firms were set up in his name, and massive transactions were carried out without his knowledge or consent. He claims to have no connection to these businesses.
Despite the seriousness of the issue, local police officials have confirmed that no formal complaint has been filed. "Once a complaint is received, appropriate legal action will be taken," said the SP City official.
Other Low-Income Individuals Also Targeted
Saurabh is not alone. In the last two weeks, three more low-income workers have reported receiving tax notices running into crores:
- Karan Kumar, a contract employee earning Rs 15,000/month, received a Rs 34 crore I-T notice. He had earlier worked at a paper company in Noida and suspects his PAN and Aadhaar were misused by a contractor. Karan has now filed a written complaint at Chandaus police station in Aligarh.
- Mohammad Rais, a juice seller near the Aligarh Civil Court, was served a notice of over Rs 7 crore.
- Yogesh, a locksmith (tala karigar) from Aligarh, received a notice amounting to Rs 11 crore.
These cases are indicative of a deeply troubling trend: the identity documents of poor and middle-class individuals are being used to commit large-scale tax frauds, often without their awareness.
Widespread Identity Theft and Cyber Fraud in Uttar Pradesh
Experts warn that the repeated targeting of economically vulnerable individuals suggests an organized racket involving cyber fraud and misuse of government-issued IDs like PAN and Aadhaar. Many of the victims are digitally illiterate or unaware of how such financial systems work, making them easy targets.
The pattern has raised pressing questions about data security, the role of middlemen in digital onboarding processes, and the level of due diligence by government authorities during firm registration and GST allotment.
Call for Urgent Action
With multiple such incidents emerging in rapid succession, there is growing demand for the state and central authorities to step up their vigilance. Cybersecurity measures, stronger KYC protocols, and public awareness campaigns are urgently needed to prevent further misuse of personal information.
The Income Tax Department and law enforcement agencies must also act swiftly to clear the names of the victims and bring the real culprits to justice.
CAclubindia
